(P19-24-26) Introducing the National Survey of Young Adult Nutrition: Sample, Design, and Weighting

Objectives: The National Survey of Young Adult Nutrition (NAYAN) is a nationally representative study of emerging adults that assesses the relationship between social determinants of health and nutrition outcomes. NAYAN addresses three prospective predictors of young adults’ eating habits: (1) sociodemographic and social characteristics; (2) parenting, upbringing, and household food environment; and (3) reproductive health.

Methods: >NAYAN surveyed U.S. citizens ages 18-24 years living in the U.S. at the time of data collection. Participant sampling was based on sex, race/ethnicity (Non-Hispanic white, Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Asian, Non-Hispanic other, and Hispanic), education (no college education and not currently in college, college educated or currently in college), and geography (Northeast, South, West, and Midwest) with a 15% oversample of individuals who identify as Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic Asian, or Hispanic. Data collection was coordinated collaboratively by participating institutions as well as Cint, a research marketplace that connects scholars with participants. Recruitment and data collection were conducted using Cint’s programmatic sampling platform, with survey administration through Qualtrics and dietary recall collection via the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Recall (ASA24).

Results: A total of N=1,056 participants completed the questionnaire and n=159 participants also completed a 24-hour dietary recall. Approximately 51% of the participant sample was male, 54% was non-Hispanic white, and 49% had completed high school/GED. Most participants resided in urban (41%) or suburban (44%) areas of the southern U.S. (39%).

Conclusions: NAYAN is the first survey of the emerging adult population that focuses specifically on factors that impact eating habits. NAYAN investigates sociodemographic factors associated with food choice and, by extension, overall diet quality. Uniquely, it contains an intensive parenting module centered on maternal and paternal influences on food selection. It also includes an extensive set of questions on polycystic ovarian syndrome, a common reproductive health issue among females.

Funding Sources: USDA-ARS and Texas A&M University Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture